Insert for rubber heels



@ct. 3, 1939. LAUR5EN 2,174,752

INSERT FOR RUBBER HEELS Filed April '14, 1938 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 3, i939. L. A. LAURSEN 2,174,752

INSERT FOR RUBBER HEELS Filed April 14, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 3, 1939 UNITE sAr oFrieE 7 Claims.

This invention appertains to the art of rubber or composition heels, and comprises primarily a new form of so-called washer or disc-like member, several of which are embedded in such heels to provide nail centering and anchoring members for the fastenings that attach the heel to the shoe.

Heretofore in this art it has been customary to employ what is known as a perforated washer or insert for the purpose mentioned. This washer or insert is provided with a relatively large nail receiving and centering opening at its center and a number of small perforations at intervals in the body of the washer around the nail opening.

The purpose of these perforations is to permit the rubber or compound from which the heel is made to pass through the washer in order to tie the latter effectively to the substance of the heel itself and thus maintain the washer properly located in relation to the nail openings that are formed in the heel member, and which lead to the nail opening at the center of the washer.

Since the washer is a very small thin metal member, it is found in practise that the structure thereof is weakened considerably by the small perforations above referred to, and therefore, when a nail is driven through the heel and washer in the securing of a heel to a shoe, the washer is frequently split and the nail head may pass entirely therethrough.

Under other conditions, the washer, being of very thin metal, will collapse or become distorted, so as to reduce its eficiency as an anchorage means for the nail, after the heel has been secured to the shoe.

My present invention obviates the disadvantages of the present types of perforated washers by a special formation of the washer providing a reinforcing rim, which may take different forms, and which will be provided with perforations or comprise spaced parts into which the rubber or composition of the heel may flow to effect the anchorage of the washer or insert in the heel as required and referred to hereinbefore.

By the construction which I employ, reinforced in the manner stated, I accomplish the provision of a washer or insert which may be made of substantially the same diameter as those commonly in use, and which will have substantially the same or greater strength than were the said washer imperforate.

In the further carrying out of my invention, it is contemplated that the small perforations or spaces through which the substance of the washer may pass to anchor the same properly in i the heel may be formed partly in the body of the washer, and in the rim or flange portion that extends from the periphery of said body.

When so provided, the said perforations or spaces may be produced by removal of small portions of both the body and flange or rim at what may be called the joining shoulder between these two portions of the integral washer or insert structure,

Obviously, under such conditions, the perforations are located, practically speaking, in the bend between the washer body and the rim or flange, and the removal of the metal required so far as the body portion is concerned, does not weaken the washer because such removal is more than offset by the formation of the flange that reinforces the entire body of said washer.

Several embodiments of my invention are presented in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of a washer embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view through the construction of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the blank of metal from which the washer of Figures 1 and 2 is formed.

Figure 4 is a side view of a modified form of washer according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a perspective View looking toward the upper side of the washer of Figure 4 construction.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of another modification of the invention.

Figure '7 is a plan view of a washer in which the small anchoring perforations are formed at the shoulder or bend between a reinforcing flange or rim and the body of the washer.

Figure 8 is a sectional view of said washer, showing the formation of the body and edge flange or rim.

In respect to the illustrations in all of the figures of the drawings, it is notable that the size of the article shown is very much exaggerated because the diameter of washers or inserts commonly employed today is only approximately a quarter of an inch.

According to my invention as proposed in the construction of Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the washer or insert is made of a blank of metal formed with the central portion I, having the nail receiving opening 2, there being provided at the periphery of the central portion i a series of spaced tooth-like projections 3 extending entirely around said portion I.

In forming the insert or washer from the blank of metal shown in Figure 3, the central portion is caused to assume a somewhat concavo convex form, as illustrated in Figure 2, and the metal is rolled from the center upwardly and outwardly in effecting such structural formation. The radiating tooth-like projections 3 are likewise caused to be rolled or curved until the extremities thereof engage with the underside of the washer body |,-as shown at the point 4, the engaging contact being calculated to subserve to a certain extent the rigidity of the rolled edge of the washer or insert. Said rolled edge is made up of the spaced parts 3 which provide therebetween openings or spaces 5 that enable the substance such as rubber or the like, from which the heel is made, to enter and extend through the spaces 5 for anchoring the washer or insert in the heel.

According to the construction of the invention, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the general conformation of the central body of the Washer, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, is employed, but the edge portion of the Washer is formed with a peripheral flange 6 which extends parallel to the axis of the nail opening 2. This flange 6 is formed with the perforations 1 that afford the anchoring function for the washer when the same is embedded in the body portion of the heel.

The flange 6 provides a means of rendering very rigid the whole body structure of the washer supplementing in this connection the effect obtained by the concavo convex formation ofthe central portion of the said washer.

While I have shown a single row of perforations 1 in the flange 8, it is to be understood that these perforations may be arranged in a plurality of rows, or they may be staggered instead of being in alignment as illustrated, or placed in the shoulder forming the flange 6 and washer body.

Referring now to the modification of my invention shown in Figure 6 of the drawings, it is notable that the washer body 8 is in the form of a metal plate structure equipped with the central nail receiving opening 9, and the edge portions of the body 8 of the washer are curved outwardly, as shown at H and then curved inwardly as at ll, until they contact as at I2 with the body 8. The portions H, under such conditions, virtually form a bracing structure connecting the outwardly bent portions it at their outer edges with the body 3.

The parts I!) and II of the washer are formed with the perforations I2 adjacent to the periphery of the washer, and the perforations l3 adjacent to the points of contact of the members II with the central portion of the body 8, said points of contact being practically a continuous circling contacting portion surrounding the opening 9.

Virtually speaking, the portions of the metal of the washer designated H, which curve inwardly, are seated against the outer face of the body 8 of the washer in this construction, and provide a concavo convex element having the characteristics of the similar portion of the center of the body structure in the modification of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

Referring now to Figures '7 and 8, the construction illustrated has some of the characteristics of that shown and described in reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.

In this type of construction of the invention, the body !4 of the washer is of somewhat concavo convex formation in cross section, and is equipped with a rim or flange l5 at its periphery.

At the bend or shoulder provided by the jointure of the integral flange [5 with the body I4 are located the small perforations l6 that afford the anchorage means for the washer, when it is embedded in the rubber or similar substance of the heel, said substance being adapted, of course, to pass through these perforations. According to the constructions of Figures '7 and 8, it is evident that the body of the washer is substantially solid throughout its area except for the provision of the nail opening ll, since the perforations [6 are located so near to the periphery of the body and only partially formed in the said peripheral portion as well as in the flange or rim [5.

The structure last described is very efficient and affords maximum strength for the washer body since the latter is substantially imperforate. Moreover, owing to the location of the perforation It at the shoulder or bend joining the parts I4 and 15, the body structure of the washer is not weakened in any way, practically speaking, the reinforcing or strengthening rim l5 more than compensating so far as reinforcing the washer is concerned, for the removal of the small amounts of metal required to be stamped out from the washer in the provision of the perforations Iii.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that I have provided very simple forms of construction tocarry out my invention, and the manner of reinforcement of the edge portions of the washer is such as to form a peripheral flange of high strength and rigidity, which rigidity, of course, is correspondingly imparted to the body of the washer. In the case of each of my constructions, the said peripheral flange is perforated to provide the anchoring spaces into which the substance of the heel may enter and pass through.

In the instances of the constructions of Figures 1 to 3, and Figure 6, it is apparent that the central concavo convex formation of the part 1 of the first modification and the part ll of the second modification provides a nail guiding surface to assist in centering the nail opening of said structures.

When the inserts or washers are vulcanized in the rubber heel as customary, the anchorage intermediate the same and the substance of the heel will be more efficient than is obtainable according to the constructions of flat or more concave discs or washers at present used for the purposes of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a washer or insert for rubber heels or the like, comprising a central body portion provided with a nail receiving opening, the periphery of the said body portion being formed with a flange element projecting therefrom, and provided with openings at intervals therein.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a washer or insert for rubber heels or the like, compris ing a central body portion having a nail receiving opening and formed with a peripheral flange spaced some distance from said nail receiving opening, and provided with perforations therein.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a washer or insert for rubber heels or the like, comprising a central body portion consisting of a centrally apertured metal plate, the said body portion being imperforate except at its central aperture and being formed with a peripheral edge portion extending laterally relatively to the body portion, and formed with spaces or interstices to receive rubber therethrough, of a rubber heel in which the washer is vulcanized.

4. An article of manufacture as claimed in claim 3, wherein said peripheral edge portion is an integral extension of the central body portion, and is formed at its outermost portion with the said interstices or openings.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a washer or insert for rubber heels, comprising a central body plate structure having a central nail receiving opening, and formed at its periphery with a lateral flange having openings at intervals therein.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a washer or insert for rubber heels, comprising a central body plate structure having a central nail receiving opening, and formed at its periphery with a lateral flange having openings at intervals therein, said lateral flange being bent inwardly so as to contact at its peripheral edge with the central body portion of the washer.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a washer or insert for rubber heels, the same comprising a central body plate structure having a centrally disposed nail receiving opening, and formed at its periphery with a lateral flange or rim, the body portion and rim at the shoulder joining the same being formed with small anchoring perforations.

LAURITS A. LAURSEN. 

